Carton forming machine



E. G. BRCWN CARTON FORMING MACHINE March 22, 1960 6 Shafts-Sheet l Filed May 9. 1958 INVENTOR. [0n/ARD G. ERow/v ArroR/vy March 22, 1960 Filed May 9, 1958 E. G. BROWN A CARTON FORMING MACHINE g In f-I- -l-r @L -13 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 ALF un I ullill I||II THIII IIIII :hun

I I |I WI I INVENTOR. bw/:Ro 6. Bmw/v @www 4 r roR/vey March 22, 1960 E. G. BROWN CARTON FORMING MACHINE 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed May 9, 1958 ms@ ilu Filed May 9. 1958 A Tran NE y March 22, 1960 E. G. BROWN 2,929,302

CARTON FORMING MACHINE Filed May 9, 1958` 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR. Eon/Ano G. BROWN Arron/Vey March 22, 1960 E. G. BROWN 2,929,302

CARTON FORMING MACHINE Filed May 9. 1958 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 AZTORNEV M@ l i T L59 t '1 /9 IN VENTOR.

EowAeo 6. Bmw/v ijnitd States CARTON FoRMING MACHINE Edward G. Brown, North Qlmsted, Ohio, assignor of one-half to Brennan B. West, Orlando, Fla.

Application May a, 19ss,seiia1N. 734,359

19 claims. (cm3-s1) This invention relates to the class of machines used for forming corner-lock cartons from cardboard blanks of appropriate shape. Cartons of the kind referred to are characterized by locking tongues, and by slits through which said tongues are engaged, for retaining the cartons in formed condition.

Heretofore, machines of this class, because of inherent characteristics in their design and principle of operation, have been limited in their use. to the production of cartons each having but a single set of four locking tongues, one located adjacent each corner of the carton. The depth of the carton produced on such a machine is thus limited to little more than the vertical dimension of a tongue, and for practical reasons such dimension cannot be increased to any material extent in proportion to the size of the carton.

There is a growing demand, however, among the users of corner lock cartons, for deeper cartons having a plurality of vertically spaced locking tongues adjacent each corner.

Therefore, it is the primary object of my invention to provide a carton forming machine that will eiciently and reliably form cartons from blanks having multiple sets of tongues and slits, it being understood that a set consists of the four tongues that are in the same horizontal plane when the carton is formed. Y

Another object of the invention is to provide, in a carton forming machine, a unique mandrel and an equally novel forming die, the two cooperating to fold the blank and, in the course of the folding operation, spread the slits and insert the vertically spaced tongues therethrough progressively from bottom to top of the carton.

Another object is to provide thoroughly dependable means that act upon parts of the blank on opposite sides of the slits during relative movement between the mandrel and die for opening or spreading the slits to receive the tongues and for guiding the tongues through the slits.

A further object of the invention is to provide a forming mandrel and die for comer-lock cartons wherein the sides of the mandrel and those of the die that correspond to the walls of the carton that carry the locking tongues swing, during relative movement between the mandrel and die, between a position wherein said sides are upwardly divergent and a position wherein the sides are substantially parallel, as when the mandrel fully occupies the die.

It is also an object of my invention to provide a relatively inexpensive and unique machine frame that readily lends itself to production in various sizes and that includes a limited number of special parts which are adapted for use in different size frames, and other parts cut to suitable length from conventional or standard linear material of uniform cross sectional size and shape throughout its length, such as bars, tubing, channel beams, etc.; and it is a further object to provide a machine frame of this character that is especially convenient of assembly, and which is adjustable in some respects where occasion requires.

These several objects, with others that will appear as 2,929,302 Patented Mar. 22, 1960 this description proceeds, are attained in the embodiment of the invention illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and while I shall proceed to describe the same in detail, it is to be understood that the present disclosure is illustrative rather than as limiting, wherefore the invention is susceptible to such changes and modifications as fall within the scope of the claims appended hereto.

in the drawings, wherein like parts are designated by like reference characters throughout the several Views,

Fig. l is a front elevational view of a carton forming machine incorporating my improvements;

Fig. 2 is an end elevational view of the machine;

Fig. 3 is a horizontal section through the machine, taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 represents the blank from which a carton is formed by means of the machine;

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the formed corner-lock carton;

Fig. 6, drawn to a scale considerably larger than that of the preceding views, is a central Vertical longitudinal section through the mandrel and forming die and the adjacent parts of the machine, this view showing the mandrel in Up position and much of it in elevation, the general plane of section being indicated by the line 6-6 of Fig. 7;

Fig. 7 is a section on the line 7-7 of Fig. 6;

Figs. 8 and 9 are Views, similar to Figs. 6 and 7, respectively, showing the mandrel descending into the forming die and carrying with it the partially formed carton, Fig. 8 being a section substantially on the vline 8 8 of Fig. 9, and Fig. 9, a section on the line 9-9 of Fig. 8;

Fig. l0 is a horizontal section on the line lll- 10 of Fig. 6;

Figs. 11, l2 and 13 are diagrammatic views illustrating progressive stages in the carton foldingand locking operation;

Fig. 14 is an elevational view of a bracket that supports one of the pair of forming rollers located at each end of the forming die and movably sustains the adjacent end of one of the side wings of the forming die;

Fig. 15 is a section on the line 15-15 of Fig. 14;

Fig. 16 is an enlarged sectional detail on the line 16-16 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 17, which is drawn to a much larger scale than any of the preceding views, is a sectional detail approximately on the line 17-17 of Fig. 8, showing one of the forming rollers and its supporting bracket in plan, and the adjacent corner of the mandrel in section, with parts of the carton between the roller and the mandrel, the View illustrating the manner in which a slit in the end wall of the carton is spread to receive a locking tongue of a side wall of the carton;

Fig. 18 is a perspective View of a breaker plate, one of which is located at each end of the mandrel and cooperates with the forming rollers of the adjacent pair, in spreading or opening the slits in the contiguous end wall of the carton; Y

Fig. 19 is a plan view of the mandrel body and the parts xedly attached thereto, and

Fig. 20 is a diagram showing the pressure iluid and electrical circuits by which the operation of the machine is effected and controlled. I

The machine frame, designated generally by the reference numeral 10, includes two identical end frame members 1v1 and l2. These members are desirably cast from suitable metal and are in the form of channels having closed ends, and they are arranged with their open sides facing inwardly of the frame, as indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 1. Each member 11 and 12 has vertical bores or sockets 15 adjacent its ends, and inwardly thereof, horizontal sockets 16. At its longitudinal center, each of Lsaid frame members has a vertical socket 17. The

members are provided on theirinteriors with heavy wall sections where said sockets occur, as will appear from Fig. 16.

Fastened within the sockets ofthe frame members 11 and 12 are the upper ends of legs 18, desirably cut to the properV length from standard tubing. If, for any reason, it is desirable to have theend frame members adjustable with respect to the legs, the upper ends of the legs may be releasably held within the Asockets 1S, as by sert screws. Otherwise, each leg may be positively locked in place by a pin 19 engaged through aligned holes `of the frame member and leg, all in accordance with common practice.

20 and 21 denote front and rear bars, respectively, the ends of which are secured within the horizontal sockets 16 of the end frame members 11 and 12 by any suitable means; for example, by tangent clamps, one of which is shown in detail in Fig. 16. For the accommodation of the clamp, therframe member is provided with a` bore 23 that is tangent to and cuts'through one side of the socket 16.- A nut 24 and a collar 25 occupy the bore 23, and their adjacent ends are .chamfered on one side for contact with the bar that occupies the socket 16. A screw 26 extends freely through the collar 25 and is threaded into the nut 2.4. The socketedhead 27 of the screw bears against the end of the collar remote from the nut 24, and by means of a suitable tool, the screw may be turned to draw the nut and collar toward each other Land into firm clamping engagement with the bar, thereby to lock the latter withinl the socket. Tangent clamps of this sort are employed elsewhere in the machine, as will appear as the description proceeds.

The legs '18 Vat the oppositelends of the machine may be and preferablylare connectedtogether by tie barsrt. The tie bars have sockets at their ends for the reception of the lower ends of the legs, and the bars may be secured to therlegs, as by pins 31. Each tie b ar has an upwardly facing concave seat 32 midway of its length and engaged with said seats are the ends of a tubular stretcher 33, bound to said bars by U-bolts 34.

Secured within the sockets 17 of `the end frame members 11 and 12, as by tangent clamps of the sort above described and illustrated in Fig. 16, are the lower ends of columns 3S that support ahead structure designated generally by the reference numeral 36. This structure consists of channel members 38 that are secured together andspaced apart at their oppositeends by cast Vframe elements 39. Thechannels arefastened to said elements by screws 40. Each of the frame elements 39 has a yertical socket within which is received the upper ,end ofthe corresponding column35, the element being secured to the column by a tangent clamp 41.

Included in the frame of the machine are two pairs of cross bars 45, the ends of which are engage-d with the top and bottom surfaces of split clamping blocks 46, These clamping blocks are carried by the front and rear bars 20 and 21.V The halves of the blocks may be drawn together -in firm contact with the bars Zi and 21 by bolts 47 that serve also to secure the cross bars 4510 said blocks. As will presently appear, the table of the machine and the forming die are supported by the cross bars 45.

50 denotes the table of the machine, and it is cono stituted of `a VU-,shaped plate, .as appears `from Fig. 3.

The plate is stiened lengthwise ofthe machine 'by Aangle barsA 51 that'are secured to the underside of the `plate near the frontand rear edges thereof. 'Fastened to and rising from the cross bars 45 Within the vertical plane of the front-and rear bars 20 and 21 are angular brackets 52, to the vertical branches of which are secured the depending flanges of the previously mentioned angle bars 51, Other stiffening angle bars, designated 55, are secured to the top of the table 5 0 along each end thereof, and attached to the top surface ofthe table, inwardly of the bars 55, are guide rails 57 between which the cartonblanks are Cit fed rearwardly until advancing edge portions thereof enf Mgage stops presently constituted of the actuators of micro switches 59.

Before proceeding with a ydescription of the carton forming mechanism, it would be well to consider the character of the blank from which the carton is formed, as shown in Fig. 4, and to note the nature of the folded carton, shown in perspective in Fig. 5. The blank is designated C', and the divisions of the blank, which are set off from one another by scores that dene bending lines, are herein referred to by the same terms and are designated by the same reference characters as are the corresponding parts of the carton. `c2 denotes the bottom Wall. The front and rear wallsare designated c3 and c4, respectively. c5 vdesignates the end walls, and c5, the lid. Dust flaps cr1 are constituted of extendsions of the end walls c5, and a tuck flap C8 extends along the edge of the cover .c6 opposite the rear wall c4. Tabs -c9 extend from the ends of the respectivefrontandrrear vwalls c3 kand c4, and these tabs carry the locking tongues cw. C12 ,are slits in the end walls arranged to receive said tongues.

A platform 60, presently in the form of a heavy rectangularrmetal plate, is fastened by screws 61 to the underside of the .channel members 38 at the` longitudinal centerof thehead-structure 36. jThevrplatform 60 mounts powermeans designated lgenerally ,by lthe reference numeral65, the same being shown as consistingof .apressureuidcylinder 66 that rises from the platform centrally thereof anda piston 67 thatoperates` in the cylinder. The rod 68 of, the piston extends downwardly through yand-works freely in an aperture 69-ofthe platf form. Conduite 70 and 71 communicate with the upper andlower ends -of the-cylinder 66, respectively, for conducting .huid to --and from the cylinder, as Vwill `hereinafter more ifullr appean Y Threaded or otherwise secured to the lower end of the pistonrod 68 is the central boss 73 of the body 74 ofl toEand carried by the side members 8,3 are frontend rear" side Yplates 8.6 .and 87, respectively. Fastened to the ends Qfthemandrel body 74, outwardly ,ofl the-anchor plates 7.7.,aremembers88 to whichy aresecured the end-plates 89 of the mandrel. -Fastened to-the ,underside of the body 74 is -a bottom plate 90.

9,5 denotes a camY -carrier that islocated-between the platform and the body of the mandrel. 'It is freely movable -along the Vpiston rod 68, said rod extending through the bore 96 of a central boss 97 of the cam carrier. Cam plates`98 have their upper ends fastened, by screws 99, to cross ribs 100 that depend from the cam carrier, and the front and rear cam faces of the plates y9S are'engaged by rollers 102 on the side members -83 adjacent the upper edges thereof. Anchored to the-inner ends of pintles by which therollers 102 are rotatably supported are the opposite ends of tension springs Y103. It is evident from this construction that the side members 83 are biased inwardly at their upper ends,- asthey hang suspended by the links '84 and .85,

the parts fixed thereto,'are operatively connected togetb-k er through differential gearing which will now be described." Fastened to, the top portion of the mandi-ci, body 7 4 adjacent the ends thereof, .by Yscrews 1,03, are the 4lower ends of racks 1 05. These Yracks mesh .with

gears 106 Vthatarecarried by kand secured to Lshafts l107. Also fastened to said shafts' are vpinions "109 that mesh with racks 110. The lower ends of thefracks 110 are fastened to the ends of the cam carrier 95. The previously mentioned shafts 107 are journaled in the side members of housings 112, that are fastened by screws 113 to the platform 60. The bases of the housings 112 are of frame construction and the openings thereof ac-A commodate the racks 105 and 110, the racks passing through openings 114 of appropriate shape in the platform 60. Cross members 115 are fastened, by screws 116, to the side members of the housings 112 and serve to hold the respective racks 105 and 11G in mesh with the gears 106 and the pinions 109. It is apparent that each gear 106 and the corresponding pinion 109 must operate in unison, and they may be fixedly connected together in any suitable manner. It is my present preference to secure the laterally extended hub 117 of each pinion, to the corresponding shaft 107 by means of a pin 118; and then lock the adjacent gear, through its hub 119, to the shaft 107 by means of a tangent clamp 120. This construction affords convenient adjustment so that the cam carrier assembly may be properly related to the assembly including the body of the mandrel.

Attached to the endsof the cam carrier, outwardly of the racks 110 and spacers 124, are the upper ends of breaker plates or elements 125. Said plates depend alongside the end plates S9 of the mandrel and slide over the outer surfaces thereof during differential movement between the mandrel body assembly and the cam carrier assembly. The lateral edge portions 126 of each of the breaker plates 125 are deflected outwardly at an obtuse angle to the plane of the body portion of the plate, the angle being constant from top to bottom. The deflected portions, however, gradually become wider from top to bottom, as is clear from Figs. 2 and 18. The purpose of these breaker plates will be brought out in the description of the operation of the machine.

The exterior shape or contour of the mandrel is defined by the'outer surfaces of the bottom plate 90, end plates 8 9, and front and rear side plates 86 and 87. In the movement of the mandrel between Up and Down positions, so to speak, the front and rear side plates S6 and 8 7 swing between a position wherein they are upwardly divergent and a position wherein they are parallel, the latter position occurring when the mandrel is fully within the forming die.

Proceeding with a description of the forming die, which is designated generally by the reference numeral 1311, each end`of the die includes laterally spaced brackets 131, one of which is shown in Fig. 14 as observed from inside the die. Each bracket has a laterally extending Bange 133 at its upper end, where the bracket is considerably wider from front to rear than it is throughout its lower region. Apertured lugs 135 rise from the ends of the flange 133 and support a shaft 137. Mounted upon the shaft 137 of each bracket, for free rotation, is a roller designated generally by the reference numeral 140. The brackets of each pair are mirror images of each other, and each pair is sustained by the adjacent cross bars 45 of the machine frame. The flanges 133 bear upon the top cross bar, and the portions of the brackets below said anges depend along the inner sides of said top cross bar and the one therebelow, and are tightly bound to the bars 45 by clamping means, each comprising a yoke 142 and a bolt 143. The bolt extendsjthrough aligned holes in thebracket and yoke and has alock washer, and a nut 144. applied to its threaded end. The head of the boit is shown as countersunk within the bracket, all of which clearly appears in Figs. 6 and 8.

Referring particularly to Fig. 17, each roller 141i includes a body portion 145 that terminates at its inner end in a ared portion 146. This ilared portion is connected to and spaced from a head 147 by a neck 145, and it constitutes a breaker element that is disposed in shearing relation, so to speak, to the near edge portion 126 of the adjacent breaker plate or element 125. These elements cooperate to open the slits in the end walls of the carton, as will hereinafter more fully appear. The head 147 of each roller 140 incorporates a peripheral traction element 150, shown as consisting of a tire of rubber or similar friction material contained within a groove 151 of the head 147.

The rollers 140 of each pair are arranged with their heads toward the longitudinal axis of the forming die 130, as best revealed in Figs. 3 and 7, and the heads of the two rollers are disposed within the path of movement of the flat body portion of the adjacent breaker plate 125.

Front and rear side wings 155 and 156, respectively, are each supported by rods 157 and 158 between the corresponding brackets 131 at the opposite ends of the forming die. The top ends of the wings are inclined upwardly and outwardly to provide deflectors 159, and within the angle between said deflectors and the body portions of the wings are located a pair of laterally spaced webs 160 having holes through which the rods 157 and 158 extend. These rods are considerably longer than the wings 155 and 155, and the end portions of the respective rods 157 and 15S are supported within arcuate slots 162, and elongated openings 163, in the brackets 131 between which the wings are disposed.

Tension springs 165 connect the ends of the opposed upper rods 157 and are located immediately below the top cross bars 45; and similar springs 166, disposed beneath the lower cross bars, connect the ends of the rods 158. These springs bias the opposed wings toward each other, and the inward movement of the upper rods 157 is limited by adjusting screws 168 (Figs. 14 and 15) that are threaded in tapped holes of the brackets 131 and enter the slots 162 at the inner ends thereof. Mounted upon shafts 169, that are supported within apertures of the webs 160, are rollers 170, the inner surfaces of the wings and 156 being substantially tangent to the peripheries of said rollers.

When the mandrel is in Up position, as illustrated in Figs. 1, 2, 6 and 7, the springs 165 and 166 retain the wings 155 and 156 in substantially parallel relation to each other, as best shown in Fig. 7. The wings may be adjusted in a fore-and-aft direction at their upper ends by means of the previously mentioned adjusting screws 168 so as to bring about their proper relation to the mandrel as the latter descends in a carton forming operation, as will presently appear. v

1 have referred to the conduits 70 and 71 through which pressure uid is conducted to the ends of the cylinder 66, and through which the spent uid is exhausted. Now, with reference to Fig. 20, these conduits lead to a valve 171, shown as one ofthe spool type. The casing of the valve is designated 172, and the valve member, 173. The latter is connected, by rods 17.4, with magnetic means or solenoids and 176. Pressure uid is conducted from a suitable source (not shown) to the central region of the casing 172 through a conduit 177, and fluid is exhausted from the casing through conduits 173 and 179.

Reference has been made to micro switches 59 that are mounted on the machine table 50 in a position to be contacted by the advancing ends of the dust flaps cI of a carton blank C when the latter is slid rearwardly on the table 50 beneath the mandrel 75. These micro switches 59 are-included in the diagram of Fig. 20 along with a limit switch 180. This switch is adapted to be engaged and closed by a finger 181 that is carried by a bracket 152 that rises from the mandrel 75. .It will be understood that this arrangement is schematic and is to be regarded as illustrative and not as limiting. The bracket spaanse indicated in' Fig. V'20, the 'rear' endsV of the dust flaps c'r contact the'actuator's of, and close, the micro switches 59. An electrical supply circuit is represented in Fig. 2O by conductors 184 and 185, and the former is shown as connected, ythrough al conductor 186 with the left hand micro switch 59. These micro switches are placed in series through a conductor 188; and leading from the right hand micro switch S is a condtietor N9 that supplies current to the electromagneticm'eans o'rsolenoid 175, the current returningtherefrom, through'a' conducto'r 19h, to the other side of the supply'cir'c,.-. epres'en'tcd by the conductor' 184. Therefore, whena blank C proper position upon the table 50 beneath thefmardrel 75 and the'micro switches are closed, the valve member 173 will be shifted by the electromagnetic "means 175 to the position'opposite that illustrated in Fig. 20,`thereby to place the pressure iiuid supply conduit 177 in 5Com'- munication with the conduit 79, and the 'conduit 71 in communication with the exhaust conduit '179. Under these conditions, the piston 67 will Vbe impelled by'tlie pressure tiuid in a downward direction so as to impart corresponding movement to the mandrel 75. As the mandrel reaches its Down position the iinger 131 will engage and close the limit switch 180, and establish a circuit from conductor 13S through one designated 192, the switch 180, a conductor 193, the electromagnetic lmeans 176, and a conductor 194 that joins the side of the supply circuit represented by the conductor 184.

It may be mentioned at this point that, as soon as the mandrel starts to descend, it will depress the bottom wall c2 of the blank C and cause the surrounding walls to swing upwardly, resulting in the immediate removal of the forward ends of the dust aps c'I from the actuators of the micro switches v59. As a consequence, the electromagnetic means 175 `will be deenergized, thereby to release the valve member 173 to the subsequent action of the electromagnetic means 176 when the latter becomes energized. .This occurs as'the mandrel reaches Down position and closes switch 180. Upon energiza tion of the electromagnetic means 176, the valve member 173 will be shifted to the position shown in Fig. 20 and cause delivery of the pressure iiuid from the supply conduit 177 through the conduit 17:1 to the lower end of the cylinder 66 so as to impel the piston 67 in an upward direction and lift the mandrel 75 to` Up position. l

With reference particularly to Figs. 6 to 13, the mandrel 7S, as it descends, ywill depress the bottom Wall c2 of the blank C' and cause the end walls c5 to ride over the rollers 140 and swing up'wardlyagainst the ends of the mandrel, as best shownkin Fig. 8. At the same time the front and rear walls c3 and c4 will be deiiected by the rollers 170 against the 'front and rear plates 86 and S7 of the mandrel, the wings 155 and 156 of the forming die 130,.and' which carry the rollers 170, will spread apart at Vtheir upper ends in opposition to the tension Y springs 165 as the mandrel travels` downwardly between them, the wings passively partaking Vof the angular relation of the front and rear plates of the mandrel, this action being best illustrated in Fig.'9.

As the mandrel body 74, with' the parts iixedly attached thereto,l descends at the speed of the piston 67, a movement ofv reduced speed will be transmitted therefrom, through the racks 105, gears 105, pinions 1&9 and racks 111),"to'theca`m carrier .95, it being remembered that each of theaforesaid gears and corresponding pinion i operate as aunit. As previously mentioned, the springs 92 tend to 'swing the side members S3 of the mandrel toward each other and maintain the rollers 162, that are carried thereby, against the front and rear cam faces of the cam plates 93. Now, as the body of the mandrel,

and the parts carried thereby, including thefside members 83 that 'mount the front and rear plates Se and 87, move downwardly at substantially double the speed of the cana carrier I-to tivliich tthe-cainsf98 are aedly at- 8 tache'd-esu'ch diterential speed resulting from the "ratio of the gears 106 to Athe "pinions V109--thecarn's recede relative to the rollers 102 until the latter traverse the downwardly and inwardly inclined portions of the 'cam faces thereby topermit the side members 83, and consequently the front and rcar'plates 86 and 87, to swing toward each other and finally into parallel relation.

,'As the above described action takes place, the end tabs e9, by contact with the body'po'rtions 145 of the four rollers 140, are swung inwardly into substantiallyriglit. angular relation to the front and rea'r walls c3 and vc",'the `locking tongues C10 remaining at all times in the plane of said tabs C9. This isv quiteclearly illustrated in Fig. 1'7.

A It Will be apparent, from this view, that the locking tongues C10, as well as the tabs e9, override the 'adjacent edge portions Vof the end `walls c5, such portions of the end walls and the overlying tongues and tabs beingh'eld. together by the ared portionsy or breaker elements 146. of the several rollers 140.

' It will be remembered that the breaker plates 12S-'are slidably engaged with the outer sides of the end plates S9 of the mandrel, and that the central portions of the end walls c5 of the blank C are held against the at regions of the breaker plates by the traction means or tires that encircle the heads 147 of the rollers 140. The portions of the end walls c5, between where they 'areengaged by the traction means 150 and the adjacent slits cl2, are deflected outwardly by the angular sideportions of the breaker plates into the space surrounding the necks 148 of theV rollers, thereby to spread or open the slits cl2. As the forming operation proceeds and the front and rear walls e3 and c4t swing into parallel relation with each other, the-locking tongues-r:10 are projected through the slits cl2.

Successive stages in the carton forming operation are illustrated in Figs. 11, 12 and 13, from which it is clear that the locking tongues c1 are progressively projected through the slits cl2 from the'bottom`-toward thetop ofY the carton. it may be explained that after the cartons arel thus formed they are forced downwardly through the forming die and discharged therebelow, the mandrel Obviously, mechanism may be associated with my im proved forming machine for automatically feeding "the blanks to the machine; and a conveyor or otherme'ans may be employed for removing the cartons from beneath the forming die.

Referring again tothe mandrel 75, I'tvish to point out the fact that, due to the calculated differences in length and angular disposition olf the respective upper and lower links 84 and 8S, the intersections 'of the planes of the exterior vsurfaces of the front and rear'side plates '86 and 87, respectively, and the plane of the underneath surface of the bottom plate 9i), remain constant throughout the swinging movement oftheside plates. This is important since these intersections define the bending line between the bottom wall c2 and the respective front and rear'walls c3 ande4 of the blank C'.

It is not, at the presen-t time, considered practicable or economical to construct a single machine that is adjustable for the production of different size cartons'. However, niarked advantages 'arisevfrom my improvements because the machine :frame as new 'constructed may "be adjusted to take care of'cartons 'of different lengthsby shifting the opposed 'pairs of cross bars V45 along the'front and rear bars 29 and 21. -Furthermore, the mandrel and forming die may readilyv be made in ditfercnt'sizes inasmuch as several of their constituents are interchangeable among different size mandrels and dies. Finally, as hercinbefore explained, different .size 'machine frames may be" constructed of a lcombination 'of 'the :present 'especially designed parts-and other 'parts that'are cut to vsie from, conventional linear material. K

ete., selected because of the positionof the parts in the drawings, are to be understood as relative rather than as limiting; and although the mandrel is shown and described as movable toward, from and into cooperation with the forming die, the invention, in its broader aspect, contemplates relative movement between the mandrel and die (e.g., movement of the latter toward, from and into cooperation with the former) as expressed in some of the appended claims.

KHaving thus described my invention, what I claim is:

l. In a machine for forming, from blanks of sheet material of appropriate character and shape, cartons characterized by a plurality of vertically spaced locking tongues, and slits for the reception of the respective tongues, adiacent each corner; a mandrel and a forming die supported for relative movement into and out of cooperation with each other and during which movement the mandrel enters the forming die, means for effecting such relative movement, front and rear side plates incorporated in the mandrel and movable between a iirst position wherein said plates are upwardly divergent and a second position wherein said plates are substantially parallel, means swinging the side plates between said positions during movement of the mandrel relative to the forming die, front and rear wings movably incorporated in the forming die for coaction with said front and rear side plates of the mandrel, and means causing said wings to partake of the angular disposition of the side plates as the mandrel enters the forming die and thereafter to swing with said side plates.

2. In a machine for forming, from blanks of sheet material of appropriate character and shape, carto-ns characterized by a plurality or" vertically spaced locking tongues, and slits for the reception of the respective tongues, adjacent each corner; a mandrel and a forming die supported for relative movement into and out of cooperation with each other and during which movement the mandrel enters the forming die, means for effecting such relative movement, front and rear side plates incorporated in the mandrel and movable between a irst position wherein said plates are upwardly divergent and a second position wherein said plates are substantially parallel, front and rear wings movably incorporated in the forming die for coaction with said front and rear side plates, the wings being biased toward each other and partaking of the angular disposition of the aforesaid side plates as the mandrel enters the forming die, the wings thereafter swinging with said plates, and means effecting movement of said side plates between iirst and second positions as the mandrel and forming die are relatively moved into cooperation with each other.

3. in a machine for forming, from blanks of sheet material of appropriate character and shape, cartons characterized by a plurality of vertically spaced locking tongues, and slits for the reception of the respective tongues, adjacent each corner; a mandrel and a forming die supported for relative movement into and out of cooperation with each other and during which movement the mandrel enters the forming die, means for eecting such relative movement, front and rear side plates incorporated in the mandrel and movable between a first position wherein said plates are upwardly divergent and a second position wherein said plates are substantially parallel, means for effecting movement of the side plates between said positions as the mandrel is moved relative to the forming die into and out of the latter, front and rear wings movably incorporated in the forming die for coaction with said front and rear plates, biasing means tending to move the wings toward each other into substantially parallel relation, the wings passively adjusting themselves to the angular disposition of the aforesaid side plates as the mandrel enters the forming die and thereafter movinginto subs tantially parallel relation as the side plates assume the aforesaid second position.

, 4. In a machine for forming, from blanks of sheet material of appropriate character and shape, Vcartons char-t acterized by a plurality of vertically spaced locking tongues, and slits for the reception of the respective tongues, adjacent each corner; a mandrel and a forming die, the former being supported for movement into and out of cooperation with the latter and during which movement the mandrel enters the forming die, means for effecting such movement of the mandrel, front and rear side plates incorporated in the mandrel and shiftable between a first position wherein said plates are upwardly divergent and a second position wherein said plates arev substantially parallel, means incorporated in, and activated by reason of the movement of, the mandrel for shifting the side plates between said first and second positions as the mandrel is moved into cooperation with the forming die, front and rear wings movably incorporated in the forming die for coaction with said front and rear side plates, and means causing the wings to partake of the angular disposition of the aforesaid side plates as the mandrel enters the forming die and thereafter to swing with said plates.

5. In a machine for forming, from blanks of sheet material of appropriate character and shape, cartons characterized by a plurality of vertically spaced locking tongues, and slits for the reception of the respective tongues, adjacent each corner; a mandrel and a forming die supported for relative movement into and out of cooperation with each other and during which movementthe mandrel enters the forming die, means for effecting such relative movement, front and rear side plates incorporated in the mandrel and movable between a irst position wherein said plates are upwardly divergent and a second position wherein said plates are substantially parallel, means biasing said plates toward parallel relation to each other, cam means incorporated in the man drel and situated between said side plates and governing inward movement of the plates between first and second positions, mechanism for actuating said cam means, front and rear wings movably incorporated in the forming die for coaction with said front and rear side plates, and means causing said wings to partake of the angular disposition of the aforesaid side plates as the mandrel enters the forming die and thereafter to swing with said plates.

6. In a machine for forming, from blanks of sheet material of appropriate character and shape, cartons characterized by a plurality of vertically spaced locking tongues, and slits for the, reception of the respective tongues, adjacent each corner; a mandrel and a forming die supported for relative movement into and out of cooperation with each other and during which move-r ment the mandrel enters the forming die, means for effecting such relative movement, front and rear side plates incorporated in the mandrel and movable between a first position wherein said plates are upwardly divergent and a second position wherein said plates are substantially parallel, means biasing said plates toward parallel relation to eachother, cam means incorporated in the mandrel and situated between said side plates for governing inward movement of the plates between first and second positions, mechanism for actuating said cam means, front and rear wings movably incorporated in the forming die for coaction with said front and rear plates, means biasing the wings toward each other, the wings being spread apart in opposition to said biasing means so as to partake of the angular disposition of the aforesaid side plates as the mandrel enters the forming die, the wings thereafter passively assuming substantially parallel relation to each other as the front and rear side plates of the mandrel attain second position.

7. In a machine for forming, from blanks of sheet material of appropriate character and shape, cartons characterized by a plurality of vertically spaced locking tongues, and slits for the reception of the respective tongues, adjacentv each corner; a machine framean yupwardly opening forming die supported within the said4 ageaa'see* 11 frame, la head structure included in the machine frame and spaced a substantial distanceabove the forming die, a mandrel supported below the head structure for movement into and out of cooperation'with the forming die, power means sustained by the head structure for so moving the mandrel, front and rear side plates incorporated in the mandrel and movable between a first position wherein said plates are upwardly divergent .and a second position wherein said plates are substantially parallel, mechanism included in the mandrel for moving saidside plates between first and second positions, means for actuating said mechanism as the mandrel moves in relation to the forming die, front and rear wings movably incorporated in the forming die for coaction with said front and rearplates, and means causing said wings to partake of the angular disposition of the aforesaid side plates as the mandrel enters the forming die .and thereafter to swing with said plates.

'8. ln a machine for forming, from blanks of sheet material of appropriate character and shape, cartons characterized by a plurality of vertically spaced locking tongues, and slitsv for the reception of the respective tongues, adjacent each corner; a machine frame, a top open forming die supported within the machine frame, a head structure included in` the machine frame and. spaced a substantial distance above the forming die, a mandrel supported below the head structure for movement into and out of cooperationV with the forming die, power means sustained vby the head structure for so moving the mandrel, front and rear side plates incorporated in the mandrel and movable between a first position'wherein said plates arenupwardly divergent and a -second position wherein said plates are substantially parallel', biasing means tending to retain the side plates in "second position, cam means within the mandrel and movable in a vertical direction relative to the mandrel for governing the Vmovement of the side plates between -trst and second positions, differential motion transmitting means sustained by the head structure, operative connections between the sameand the mandrel and be- ,tween the same and the cam means whereby the cam means is caused to function as the mandrel moves between fUp and Down positions to. simultaneously eec't` movement of the side plates between lirst and second` positions, `front and rear wings movably incorporated in the `forming die for coaction with the front and' rear side plates of the mandrel, and ymeans biasing the Wings toward each other, the wings being spread apartin opposition to said biasing means so as to parfalte of the angular disposition of the aforesaid 'side plates `as the mandrel enters the forming die, the wings thereafter passively assuming parallel relation `to each other as the front and rear plates ofthe mandrel assumeV second position. l

,'9. 'In a machine for forming, from blanksof sheet l material of appropriate character and shape, cartons `characterized by a plurality of vertically spaced locking tongues, vand slits for the reception of the' respective tongues, adjacent each corner; a machine frame, a top open forming die supported within the machine frame, a head structure included in the machine frame and spaced a substantial distance above the forming die, a 'mandrel supported below the head structure for movementi into and out of cooperation with the forming die, power means sustained by the head structure for so moving the mandrel, lfront and rear 4slide plates incorporated in the mandrel and movable between a first position wherein Ysaid plates are upwardly divergent and a `second position wherein said plates are substantially parallel, biasing means tending to retain the side plates in secoud position, cam means movable within the mandrel'for controlling the movement of the side plates between 'first and second positions, differential gearing sustained' byrthe. head structure, racks connected to and f'ronr'the mandrely and camineans andcooperating with saiddiiferential gearing and 'through which the cam means is caused to move relative to the mandrel 'thereby to eiect movement of the side plates between first and second positions as the mandrel moves between Up and Down positions, front and rear wings mov'- ably incorporated in the forming die for coaction with said front and rear side plates, and means biasing the wings toward each other. Y

10. In a machine for forming, from blanks of sheet material, cartons characterized by a plurality of vertically spaced locking tongues adjacent each corner, the blank including end walls provided with slits` for the reception of: the respective tongues, and iront` and rear walls having tabs articulated to the ends thereof and from the free edges of which tabs said locking tongues project; a mandrel including end plates, front and rear side plates incorporated in the mandrel and movable between a; first position wherein said plates are upwardly divergent and a second position wherein said plates are substantially parallel, a forming die movably incorporating front and rear wings arranged for engagement with the respective front and rear walls of the carton and swingable bctween a position wherein they are substantially parallel and a position wherein they are upwardly divergent, resilient means tending to retain said wingsin the latter position, further means eiecting relative movement of the mandrel and forming die into and out of cooperation with each other and during which movement the mandrel enters the forming die, mechanism electing movement of said iront and rear side plates between rst and second positions, the end plates of the mandrel being adapted torhave folded thereagainst the end walls of the,

carton, andthe front and rear side plates receiving thereagainst the corresponding carton walls, the aforesaid wings of the `forming die' responding to the changing angularityof said front and rear side plates as themandrel enters the forming die, lapping means adjacent the ends of the forming diefor folding the aforesaid tabs over the adjacent portions of the end walls of the carton and projecting the locking tongues through said slits as the-mandrel moves into cooperation with the forming die, and elements carried respectively by the mandrel and forming die that coact to deflect parts of the end walls adjacent the slits in a direction to open the slits during relative movement between the mandrel and forming die.

1l. In a machine for forming, from blanks of sheet material of'appropriate character and shape, cartons characterized by a plurality of vertically spaced locking tongues, and slits lfor the reception of the respective tongues, adjacent each corner; a machine frame, an open top forming die supported inthe machine frame, a head structure included in the machine frame and spaced a substantial distance above the forming die, a cylinder supported in a. vertical position by the head structure, a piston operating within the cylinder and having a piston rod depending below the head structure, va mandrel body assembly secured to the lower end of the piston rod and including end plates and a bottom plate, front and rear side plates incorporated in the mandrel body assembly and movable between a trst position wherein said side plates are upwardly divergent and a second position wherein they are 'substantially parallel, the mandrel body assembly being movable into and out of the forming die by means 'of said pi'ston,pre`ssure fluid conducting means communicating with the cylinder above and below the range of movement ofthe piston, valve means controlling the passage of tiuid therethrough, a cam carrier assembly supported for vertical movement between the head structure and the mandrel body assembly, tirst racks attached to the ends of said body assembly and rising therefrom, second racks connected to the vcam assembly and rising in parallel relation to the'rst ra'cks gears rotatably 'supported by the .head structure where'with the first racks mesh, pinions of lesser diameter thanthe gearstixed to epesses said gears in concentric relation thereto and wherewith the second racks engage, means, including cams, for effecting movement of the side plates between first and second positions, said cams being attached to the cam carrier assembly, front and rear wings movably incorporated in the forming die for coaction with the front and rear side plates of the mandrel, and means biasing the wings toward each other, the wings being spread apart in opposition to said biasing means so as to partake of the angular disposition of the aforesaid side plates as the mandrel assembly enters the forming die, the wings thereafter passively assuming parallel relation to each other as the front and rear plates of the mandrel assume second position.

12. In a machine for forming, from blanks of sheet material of appropriate character and shape, cartons characterized by a plurality of vertically spaced locking tongues, and slits for the reception of the respective tongues, adjacent each corner; a mandrel and a forming die supported for relative movement into and out of cooperation with each other and during which movement the mandrel enters the forming die, means for eiecting such relative movement, front and rear side plates incorporated in the mandrel and movable between a rst position wherein said plates are upwardly divergent and a second position wherein they are substantially parallel, means effecting the swinging movement of said side plates between rst and second positions during movement of the mandrel relative to the forming die, front and rear Wings movably incorporated in theforming die for coaction with said front and rear side plates, means causing said wings to partake of the angular disposition of the side plates as the mandrel enters the forming die and thereafter to swing with said side plates, a pair of reversely arranged rollers at each end of the forming die, each roller having a circumferential traction part adjacent its inner end and outwardly thereof in succession, a neck and a flared portion, and breaker plates carried by the mandrel at the ends thereof, the same being provided with angularly extending edge portions that coact with the ilared portions of said rollers for opening the slits of the carton, said rollers, outwardly of the flared portions, acting to direct the locking tongues through the slits.

13. In a carton forming machine, a frame including end members, front and rear bars supported by and between said members, two pairs of cross bars sustained at their opposite ends by said front and rear bars, the cross bars of each pair being spaced apart in a vertical plane, a forming die including end brackets carried in a vertical position by the cross bars, rollers rotatably mounted within the upper ends of said brackets, front and rear wings movably supported by and between the end brackets at the opposite ends of the forming die for movement between a position in which they are upwardly divergent and a position wherein they are substantially parallel, spring means tending to retain the Wings in parallel relation to each other, a mandrel supported by the frame structure for movement into and out of cooperation with the forming die, front and rear side plates incorporated in the mandrel for movement between a first position wherein they are upwardly divergent and a second position wherein they are substantially parallel, and means for effecting movement of said side plates between first and second positions as the mandrel moves into and out of cooperation with the forming die.

14. In a carton forming machine, a frame, substantially parallel cross bars incorporated in the frame and spaced apart longitudinally thereof, a forming die including end brackets carried by the cross bars, rollers rotatably mounted within the upper ends of said brackets, front and rear wings having outwardly extending deectors at their upper ends and including rollers with respect to which the inner surfaces of the wings are substantially i4 tangent, vertically spaced parallel rods connected to and extending longitudinally of the wings and beyond the opposite ends thereof, the opposed brackets having openings `through which the end portions of the rods project, the

openings through which the upper rods extend being in the form of arcuate slots substantially concentric with the openings that accommodate the lower rods, the Wings being movable between a position in which they are upwardly divergent, and a position wherein they are substantially parallel, springs connecting the corresponding ends of the respective upper and lower rods and tending to retain the wings in parallel relation, a mandrel supported by the frame structure for movement into and out of cooperation with the forming die, front and rear side plates incorporated in the mandrel for movement between a first position wherein they are upwardly divergent and a second position wherein they are substantially 'parallel, and means for effecting movement of said side plates between first and second positions as the mandrel moves into and out of cooperation with the forming die.

l5. In a carton forming machine, a frame, substantially parallel cross bars incorporated in the frame and spaced apart longitudinally thereof, a forming die including end brackets carried by the cross bars, rollers rotatably mounted within the upper ends of said brackets, front and rear wings, vertically spaced parallel rods connected to and extending longitudinally of the wings and beyond the opposite ends thereof, the opposed brackets having openings through which the end portions of the rod project, the openings through which the upper rods extend being of suflicient size to permit movement of the wings between a position in which they are upwardly divergent, and a position wherein they are substantially parallel to each other, springs connecting the ends of the corresponding rods of the front and rear wings and tending to retain the wings in parallel relation, adjusting means carried by the brackets for cooperation with certain of the rods to limit the inward movement of the wings, a mandrel supported by the frame structure for. movement into and out of cooperation with the forming die, front and rear side plates incorporated in the mandrel for movement between a first position wherein they are upwardly divergent and a second position wherein they are substantially parallel, and means for effecting movement of said side plates between first and second positions as the mandrel moves into and out of cooperation with the forming die.

16. In a machine for forming, from blanks of sheet material of appropriate character and shape, cartons characterized by a plurality of vertically l spaced locking tongues, and slits for the reception of the respective tongues, adjacent each corner; a mandrel and a forming die supported for relative movement into and out of cooperation with each other and during which movement the mandrel enters the forming die, means for effecting such relative movement, the mandrel including a body assembly, front and rear side plates, downwardly and outwardly inclined upper links and shorter lower links connecting said side plates to the mandrel for swinging movement between a first position wherein said plates are upwardly divergent and a second position wherein said plates are substantially parallel, means for swinging the side plates between said positions during movement of the mandrel relative tothe forming die, front and rear wings movably incorporated in the forming die for coaction with said front and rear plates, and means causing said wings to partake of the angular disposition of the side plates as the mandrel enters the forming die and thereafter to swing with said side plates.

17. In a machine for forming, from blanks of sheet material of appropriate character and shape, cartons characterized by a plurality of vertically spaced locking tongues, and slits for the reception of the respective tongues, adjacent each corner; a mandrel and a forming :notam-soa?" die supported for relative movement vinto and out ofcoop'eration with each other and during which movement the mandrel enters the vforming die, meansfor effecting such relative movement, front Iand rear side plates incorporated in the mandrel and movable between a first position wherein said plates are upwardly divergent and a second position wherein said plates are substantially parallel, means for moving the side plates between said positions during movement of the mandrel relative to the forming die, front and rear pressure elements incorporated in the forming die for movement in a fore-and-aft direction, and means causing said pressure elements to cooperate with said front and rear side plates during relative 4movement of the mandrel and forming die.

18. In a machine forforming, from blanks of sheet material, cartons characterized by locking tongues adjacent the corners thereof, the blank including end walls provided with slits for the reception of the respective tongues; a'mandrel and a forming die supported Afor relative movement into and out of cooperation with each other and'during which movement the mandrel enters.

in the form ofY rollers rotatably associated with the form.

ing die, and second breaker elements in the form of plates having edge portions in shearing relation tothe first breaker elements, the second breaker elements being supported for reciprocation in the direction of movement of.

the mandrel and relative thereto for cooperation with the vlir'st breaker elen'rents in deecting parts ofthe walls adjacent the slits in a direction to open the. slits during relative movement between the first and second breaker elements.

19. In a machine `for forming, from blanks of sheet material, cartons characterized by locking tongues 'adjacent the corners thereof, the blank including end walls providedy with slits for the reception of the respective tongues; a mandrel and a forming die supported for relative movement into and out of cooperation with each other and during which movement the mandrel enters the forming die, means for eiecting such relative movement, a pair of reversely arranged rollers at each end of the forming die, each rollers having a circumferential traction part adjacent its inner end for pressure contact.

with the adjacent end wall inwardly of a slit, said roller having, also, outwardly of said traction part, a neck and, therebeyond, a liared portion, and breaker plates adjacent the ends of the mandrel, the same being provided with edge portions that coact with the dared portions of said rollers for opening theslits of the carton, said rollers, outwardly of the ared portions, acting to direct the locking tongues through the slits.

References' Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

